Welcome to Prof. Sonoda’s Website

Prof. Shigeto Sonoda is a professor of sociology and Asian studies at the University of Tokyo. After his 19 years’ service for private universities, Prof. Sonoda went back to his alma mater in 2009 when he was appointed as professor both at the Interfaculty Initiative for Information Stuides and Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (former Institute of Oriental Culture) .

Prof. Sonoda has taken initiatives in conducting researches including AsiaBarometer 2003-2008, Asia Student Survey 2008-2013, Tianjin Annual Survey 1997-2011. His special interest is in social stratification and globalization of cultures in Asia, and localization process of Japanese company in Asian countries. His latest publications include: Sino-Japan Relations, 1972-2012 IV. Private Sector, University of Tokyo Press (editor, 2014, in Japanese), Risk in East Asia, Keiso-shobo (editor, 2013, in Japanese), Sino-Japan Relations, 1972-2012 III. Society and Culture , University of Tokyo Press (editor, 2012, in Japanese), China Issues: How Experts See the Future of China, University of Tokyo Press (co-editor, 2012, in Japanese), Emerging Middle Classes in East Asia, Keisho-shobo (editor, 2012, in Japanese), Can Education Solve Social Inequality?, Iwanami Shoten Publishers (with Atsuko Shimbo, 2010, in Japanese), Social Inequality in Contemporary China, Chuo Koron (2008, in Japanese, awarded Special Prize of 20th Asia-Pacific Award), Where Chinese Society is Heading for?: Dialogue with Chinese Sociologists, Iwanami Shoten Publishers (editor, 2008, in Japanese).

Prof. Sonoda initiated a lot of research/academic activities, and the most recent ones are “Frontier of Comparative Studies of Asian Studies” (2010-12 FY) “Educational Program for Young Scholars on ‘Asia Globalization Studies'” (2009-2012 FY), both of which were financially supported by Japan Society for Promotion of Science. Prof. Sonoda is now one of the core members of new type of graduate education program “Integrated Human Studies for Cultural Diversity” in the University of Tokyo.

Due to his comittment to ITASIA course in Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, Prof. Sonoda will be able to accept only those postgraduate students or scholars who will be able to write a thesis / academic paper in English.